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New Rockies manager Walt Weiss quietly secure with one-year deal

Walt Weiss, who most recently coached prep baseball at Regis Jesuit in Aurora, says of his new job with the Rockies: "I don't see myself as a one-year kind of guy. I look forward to earning my stripes." (Helen H. Richardson, Denver Post file)

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Long ago, before Hollywood made a movie about his team, Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane shared a clubhouse with a young Walt Weiss.

"He was incredibly well-liked and well-respected by future Hall of Fame players," Beane said. "He has the unique ability to say a lot without saying a lot."

Weiss will be introduced Friday as the Rockies' manager, driven to accomplish big things with, at least initially, a small commitment. Weiss agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday night, a reflection of his passion and confidence rather than organization's lack of faith in this experiment.

"We are all on one-year deals around here. It's about trust. You know how (owner) Dick (Monfort) is. He looks you in the eye and gives you his word," general manager Dan O'Dowd told The Denver Post on Thursday. "Walt knows how we feel about him. We want him to be our manager for years to come."

Weiss, 48, was not motivated or concerned by the contract. The Rockies sought him out for this job when Jim Tracy resigned Oct. 7. Their overtures and consistent interest were revealing to Weiss, demonstrating their support. Because Weiss was not seeking the job and has made a comfortable living since retiring in 2000, he focused on the opportunity, not the deal. First-time managers typically make $500,000 to $600,000, but there are no recent examples of new field bosses taking one-year contracts.

Long-range plans

"I don't see myself as a one-year kind of guy. I look forward to earning my stripes," Weiss said. "I don't have any issue with that, with having to prove myself. I am fine with that."

Multiple general managers praised Weiss privately, saying it demonstrates his self-confidence. Others expressed concern that it could affect how players view him if the team gets off to a difficult start following a franchise-worst 98-loss season.

The Rockies also have a unique front-office structure with assistant general manager Bill Geivett having a desk in the clubhouse.

"He would not have taken this if he didn't think he could succeed," Angels general manager and former teammate Jerry Dipoto said. "It's not because he needs this for his life. He's about helping the Rockies. It's home to him. I don't think there's any way he's going into this saying, 'I hope this works out.' There's no way he did this, regardless of the contract, without believing he would do well."

Geivett understands the perception that management is pulling strings behind the scenes. However, the arrangement that began Aug. 1 was designed for him to get a better read on the pitching issues, not look over the manager's shoulder. It will change slightly, with Geivett spending less time in the clubhouse office, where he was typically stealth and never seen at home batting practice, and going to fewer road games.

"It's important that the manager is empowered and that players know he's in charge so they play with freedom," said Giants GM Brian Sabean, who has led San Francisco to two World Series title in three years.

Weiss knows Geivett from his time working as a special assistant with the Rockies from 2002-08. The two get along well, convincing Weiss he could make this work.

"The players have to know that you are pulling for them and care for them. Bobby Cox was as good as anyone around," said Weiss, who played for Cox in Atlanta and broke into the big leagues with future Hall of Famer Tony La Russa as his manager. "Creating loyalty and wanting them to do well. That means a lot to the players and I had a great examples. That's the what I will be shooting for."

Keeping familiar faces

For Weiss to succeed, he will require help, something he readily acknowledges. He plans to lean on his coaching staff, which will go largely unchanged from the group Tracy left behind. The Rockies want Tom Runnells, a finalist for the managerial job, to return as bench coach. Jason Giambi and Rene Lachemann are candidates for the vacant hitting coach position. Triple-A manager Stu Cole is a possibility for the third base coaching job. Bob McClure could replace pitching coach Bo McLaughlin, who did well in his cameo, but also fits as a minor-league instructor.

Weiss' hiring follows in the footsteps of Robin Ventura (White Sox) and Mike Matheny (Cardinals) last winter. The pair never managed in the minor leaguers and yet Ventura is a finalist for American League manager of the year and Matheny guided the Cardinals to within one win of the World Series. Both, however, inherited strong teams.

"The one thing I would say as advice is that you have to have a really good group of coaches. Mike well tell you that our group evolved and worked really together," Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said. "And you have to be ready for the overall speed of the game when you're the one making the decisions."

Everything has been a bit of a blur for Weiss recently. But he will walk to the stage at Coors Field on Friday with eyes wide open.

"There a lot of things I have gone over in my mind, how I am handle certain things," Weiss said. "But the bottom line is that it's still baseball. And I can't wait to do my part to help this team win again."